Grutter V. Bollinger: An Analysis

In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Court accepted that the “critical mass” concept was not an “outright racial balancing”, where race was used as a factor in the admission process (Alexander 151). Therefore, the Court held that diversity is a compelling interest for the University of Michigan Law School as long as race is not the only factor considered for admission. In addition, the Court concluded that the “benefits of diversity are substantial” and “promotes cross racial understanding, helps to break down racial stereotypes, and enables students to better understand persons of difference races” (Chemenrisky 772). Moreover, “the Court accepted the university’s argument that the education of all students is enhanced with a diverse student body”
(Chemerinsky 772).

In contrast, the Court Gratz v. Bollinger held that the race-based admission program was unconstitutional. The point scale system, where 20 points were automatically added to minority applicants as one factor for admission. However, the Court concluded that although diversity is a compelling interest, the use of “quotas or numerical quantifications of benefits is impermissible” (Chemerinsky 777).